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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

PIA Caraga personnel undergo surprise drug test

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) - All personnel of the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga were subjected to a surprise drug
test on Tuesday during their Strategic Planning Session held at the regional
office here.

PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga ordered the
drug test to all employees, including the information center managers and
coordinators. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga then
responded to the request and administered the test.

“In response to the request of PIA Caraga regional
director Abner Caga, we immediately responded and facilitated the conduct of
the drug test to all the employees of said agency. It was a surprise drug-test
and we were overwhelmed that all the employees have shown willingness and
interest to undergo the drug-test,” underscored PDEA chemist Mark Roy Paguyod.

Daay also explained that a drug test is a technical
analysis of a biological specimen, for example urine, hair, blood, breath,
sweat, or oral fluid/saliva—to determine the presence or absence of specified
parent drugs or their metabolites. PIA Caraga employees were tested through
urine analysis.

“The test yielded negative results for 12 urine
samples. We hope that more government employees from different agencies will
also voluntarily undergo drug-testing,” Paguyod expressed.

Meanwhile, Dir. Caga underlined that his order to
let all PIA Caraga employees undergo drug testing is in support to the call of
President Rodrigo Duterte to cleanse all government agencies and be free from
drug users and pushers.

“This is also in response to the new
administration’s call for a mandatory drug testing for government employees to
regain trust of the public. This agency recognizes that drug abuse is a
significant health problem for employees, detrimentally affecting overall
health, behavior, working habit, reflexes, and the total development of each
individual,” stressed Caga. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Army, NPA rebels clash anew in Surigao Norte

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, July 12 (PIA) - A
firefight between the Philippine Army and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels
occurred on Saturday afternoon, July 9 in barangay Tinago, Malimono, this
province.

After ten minutes of intense firefight, the
soldiers conducting pursuit operation discovered an encampment with 27 molotov
bombs, one gallon of betadine (antiseptic) and two pairs of rainboots.

The said encampment can accommodate 60 individuals
and has 15 makeshift bunkers and based on the trackings the said encampment has
been abandoned for one day.

Civil Military Operations officer Lt. Ryan D. Layug
of the 30th Infantry Battalion, Phil. Army confirmed that no casualty on the
government side but they believed that there were wounded on the lawless group
as traces of blood were found on their withdrawal route.

In his statement, 30IB Battalion Commander Lt. Col.
Rico Amaro thanked the locals for timely report of information and that another
terroristic plan was prevented because of community participation.

Amaro further said that people are starting to
understand that security is everyone's responsibility.

"We appeal to lawless group to turn their
wounded comrades to barangay officials or bring them to the nearest hospital
for proper medical treatment. We reiterated that the conduct of pursuit is to
apprehend the perpetrators and aid the wounded," Amaro said. (SDR,
PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Army reserve command set to celebrate 37th National
Reservist Week Convention

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) – In support to the
Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP’s) operational thrusts and guidance 2016,
the 15th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG) will hold its 37th National
Reservist Week Convention on July 23-24, 2016 at the Camp Bancasi, this city.

“We will be hosting the said event and it will be
attended by the different reservist coming from the Philippine Army, Philippine
Navy and Philippine Air Force region-wide. Other guests from the general
headquarters of the AFP have also confirmed to grace the occasion,” said Col.
Maning Tawantawan, group commander of the 15th RCDG.

It was learned that a press conference will be
conducted in the afternoon on the 24th of July, with LtGen Rey Leonardo
Guerrero, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command to sit in the panel aside
from his role as the guest of honor and speaker.

Said activity will highlight the significant roles
and contributions of the trained and equipped reserve force as protector of the
country and its people through maintaining internal security and stability,
participation in disaster/emergency response, community development activities
and humanitarian assistance. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

RDRRMC Caraga to hold DRRM-CCA awareness contest

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) – The Caraga Regional
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) through the Office of
Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Education (DepEd) will hold an
awareness contest for students on July 21 here.

According to Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena, RDRRMC
chairperson and OCD Caraga regional director, the contest will focus on
DRRM-Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) awareness in the region.

The activity is in line with the observance of this
year’s National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) with the theme “Kahandaan
at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa.”

The contest will include Jingle, Poster Making and
Essay Writing and Quiz Bee. (NCLM, PIA-Caraga)

In her recent State of the Province Address here,
Matba said the effects of Climate Change such as decreased in crop production,
unreliable access to food and water and extreme weather patterns have already
been felt in the province.

"The same is true in the corresponding plans
of the component local government units (LGUs) of the province and this ushered
the 100 percent successful implementation of several measures aimed at mitigating
and preventing the drastic effects of calamities, such as, the 100 percent
completion of the formulation of the Local Climate Change Adaptation Plans and
a total of five disaster mitigating infrastructure projects costing to P18
million were also implemented in response to the phenomenon," she said.

In addition, gov. Matba said that in 2015, the DRRM
program of the province has also provided assistance to affected families in
the form of family food packs, emergency shelter assistance and burial assistance
amounting to P8.266,949.92.

Gov. Matba also acknowledged that the participation
of the community is instrumental in the effort to mitigate the effects of
environmental hazards through their involvement in rehabilitating degraded
areas that include the production of about 2.8 million seedlings for planting
in the degraded areas of the province and Mangrove reforestation and
rehabilitation were also carried out by planting propagules to about 215
hectares of degraded mangrove areas.

“Our efforts in this area earned for us a national
recognition, placing 2nd in the 2015 National Gawad Kalasag Search for Disaster
Resilient LGUs and Humanitarian Assistance in Provincial DRRMC Category,” gov.
Matba said.

Also, gov. Matba said that another key point in the
drive to promote environmental integrity is the approval of the Ecological
Solid Waste Management Plans (ESWMP) of the five municipalities of the
province. The plans of the remaining LGUs are already up for deliberation and
hope to be completed by the end of this year. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)

The Fulbright-FLTA program is open to young
teachers of English based outside of Metro Manila who have a sincere interest
in teaching their native language and culture to American students. And those
who have the leadership skills, the ability to motivate students, and the
capacity to relate to foreign students can potentially avail of the program.

Accordingly, the following eligibility requirements
must be met by the applicants: must be no younger than 23 and no older than 29
years of age at the time of application; must be Filipino citizens; must
clearly demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity and professionalism;

Ideally, FLTAs are outgoing and dynamic individuals
with a great sense of humor. Candidates should possess the equivalent of a
Bachelor’s degree in the United States with a good academic record. Also,
Master’s degrees are highly desirable by many institutions, and one who has the
teaching experience is preferred.

The required documents include the completed online
application; official or certified copy of transcript of records from all
colleges/universities attended; certified true copy of diploma; three letters
of reference (forms are found on the online application); supplemental forms;
copy of passport; and TOEFL or IELTS score report, if available.

The competition for the Fulbright-FLTA program for
2017-2018 that started on March 1, 2016 will have its deadline on July 29,
2016. All interested applicants are required to complete the online application
found on https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/flta/ page. Grantees are
expected to begin their program in the United States in August of 2017.

Introduced in the Philippines in 2004, the FLTA
Program has aimed to strengthen foreign language instruction at U.S.
educational institutions since 1968 by establishing a native speaker presence.
The FLTA Program provides an opportunity for young, international teachers of
English to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language
proficiency and extend their knowledge of the cultures and customs of the
United States while engaging in non-degree studies. FLTAs add an energetic and
up-to-date cultural component to foreign language classes as well as to student
life on U.S. campuses. (PAEF/VLG/PIA-Caraga)

DOST Caraga set to hold NSTW in Butuan

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) – The Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga will be celebrating the 2016 National
Science and Technology Week (NSTW) regional celebration on July 22-25 here.

DOST Caraga regional director Dominga D. Mallonga
said the celebration will showcase science and technology programs and projects
of the region through exhiits, for a/conferences, S&T contests and
demonstrations.

Also, a press conference is set on July 22 right
after the opening program which will be held at the Robinson’s Place.

Recognition of partners/adopters, kiddie magic
show, poster and slogan contest will also be held on July 22 and on July 23,
the S & T contests and DOST fellowship night.

On July 24, forum on food safety stakeholders’,
cooking demo of chef Boy Logro, awarding of winners and scholars’ night will be
held at the Dottie’s Place.

Forum on GeoInformatics and the closing program
will be held on July 25.

A Travelling Science Centrum will also be held on
July 22 to August 10 at Timberlines, director Mallonga said. (NCLM, PIA-Caraga)

DAR AgNor trains women farmers in coconut sugar
production

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- The Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte initiated a one-day skills training
on Coconut Sap Sugar production, an agribusiness development assistance to the
women Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province held recently at San
Isidro, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

The training was participated by 40 women ARBs who
are members of cluster of ARB organizations that include Malambuong Kahugpongan
sa Kababaehan sa San Isidro (MAKAKASI), Jaliobong Masipag Farmers Organization
(JAMAFO),and Jaliobong Irrigators
Services Association (JISA).

The training allows the women to learn the
technology to produce coco sugar as additional livelihood. It also empowers
women ARBs by making them less dependent on the income of their husbands.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Virginia
Batosalem said, “Women ARB household members, who are looking for livelihood
program to earn additional income for their family’s needs, were trained to
produce coconut sugar in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA)
and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)."

ARB member Flordela Galo, one of the participants,
said that the inputs from the training are useful when it comes to raising more
income for her family.

The activity is a continuing effort of the
department to provide technical assistance to women ARBs of the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)